By Beth David, Editor
Seabreeze Mini Mart and Coin Laundry on Main Street in Fairhaven sold a one-million-dollar scratch ticket last week.
Owner Golam Chowdhury said he found out while checking the Mass Lottery website, and that he had not yet been officially notified by the Lottery.
“I am very excited,” said Mr. Chowdhury, adding he had just been joking with his wife about that very possibility. “We hoped someone wold picke a number and make news in town. And now it is the news.”
According to the Mass Lottery website, the ticket was the 19th million-dollar prize for the “Cashword” game. The prize was claimed by CD & CM Trust of Fairhaven, represented by attorney Heather Lynham of Fairhaven.
“No, I’m not rich,” said Ms. Lynham in a phone interview.
She said she collected the prize on behalf of clients and would not give any information about them. She would not even say if they were Fairhaven residents.
“I can’t give any details about the parties involved because their desire was to remain anonymous,” said Ms. Lynham. “That’s all I’m allowed to tell.”
She laughed about the insistence by some that she bought the ticket, and laughed even more at some social media posts by people who said they know her personally and know she claimed the prize for herself.
Ms. Lynham said the last time she bought a scratch ticket was months ago as a gift. The last time she bought one for herself was 15 years ago.
“It’s nothing more than somebody coming and saying they won it, and would ou do it fr me so no one will kow it’s them,” she said. “And I said, ‘yes.’”
Then the Mass Lottery posted it and the phone calls started, she said.
She said the Lottery required a picture of someone holding a ticket and a check, so she let them take her picture.
The ticket in the picture is not the real one, it is an enarged version of the same game.
According to the website, the winners opted for the cash option and received a one-time payment of $650,000 (less tax withholdings).
Seabreeze will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the ticket.
One more $1 million instant prize is still available in the $10 “$2,000,000 50X Cashword” instant game.
Seabreeze is located at 235 Main Street. Formerly Chris’ Variety, the store and laundry were completely renovated by Mr. Chowdhury when he bought the store in 2011. They opened in October of 2012.
•••
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News at: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Y6V5ARRYH689G
Click here to download the entire 3/8/18 issue: 03-08-18 Noreaster
